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Housekeeping

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Festive Fledglings Flap Frantically Towards A Calm, Clutter-free Christmas!

993 replies

SingToTheSky · 30/11/2020 22:59

OK so clutter-free is a bit ambitious. But anyway, all welcome to join us for a jolly holiday thread, in which we very loosely follow (or at least half-heartedly mention now and then) the FlyLady system of housekeeping.

I’ll be posting links and reminding us all of various tasks up until Christmas Eve, for those who want to follow the system - and if it’s like previous years there will also be some specific extra missions to help us prepare our homes for Christmas. However, we really are just a bunch of frazzled Mumsnetters who will be very happy to welcome you along for chat whether you follow the system or not! We discuss housework, sure, but a whole lot of other stuff too.

We will also continue with the Keep Calm Corner, in which you’ll find various diverting questions, memes etc.

And finally a huge thank you to Foxes who did a fab job of running the thread for the first time in November! 💐

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Stilllivinginazoo · 11/12/2020 17:30

tinselette love that tree!!

Tada
*Cleaned top freezer/removed cobwebs
*Sorted other end under dining table,which involves pulling out 2chairs,plus end one(6seats at table in total,two at back that end up covered in "stuff" with "stuff stacked under tooBlush)
Dd2 has a crate under herchair.this has been sorted together,sifting what needs go upstairs,and what's no longer any use/rubbish.it looks very tidy and organised

Lil zoo will only drink bottles flavoured water and tiny amounts of squash.cleaned out cupboard,moved shelf up and it's now ready to take these off dining table when I finally get another attempt at cleaning going!

Stilllivinginazoo · 11/12/2020 17:31

Ps.well done woolly surviving tesco.i may be going into town tomorrow.it will be a very early military precision event if I dare to go

Need order D's birthday gifts....

foxessocks · 11/12/2020 18:31

Ta das
Polished mirrors
Dusted downstairs
Hung washing up
Collected dd from school
Went to supermarket with the kids, for a few bits for dh, my nephew, ds nursery staff, and my contact lense solution!!
Dropped clothes off at clothes bank
Got home and put all the bits and pieces away
Played board games with the kids
Helped the kids make hot chocolate with marshmallows
Read some Harry potter to dd
Helped the kids mop the kitchen floor (they wanted to!?! And tbh it needed it after the hot chocolate making 🤦‍♀️)
Made vegetable lasagne with the help of dd (who was very helpful whisking the cheese sauce for me!)

The kids have had one of those days today where they just want to be right by my side constantly, which is very lovely, but my goodness the amount of talking!! I'm feeling really frazzled now, just haven't had a second to myself all day. And ds had a strop about something and I shouted a lot because I was at the end of my tether. Then basically everyone was shouting or crying...

We are all calm now though (well I'm not feeling particularly calm if I'm honest 😫) , just making angel delight for the kids pudding, anyone with little ones they are doing angel delight kits dinosaur and unicorn ones, my two think they are amazing!

I am trying to decide whether there's any chance we bought an extra chocolate orange by accident so I can eat it but dd keeps thinking of more teachers or TAs she wants to give one to and it's ruining my plan 😂

SingToTheSky · 11/12/2020 21:24

I bought a chocolate orange today (tbh I lost my head a bit in the very busy tesco and bought a lot of random stuff) and Cagletini found it in my bag, and unwrapped it while announcing “we can share”. So that was a fun few minutes chasing her round to clean her hands before she got chocolatey fingerprints everywhere! 🙄😂

DD1 tried a new dance class tonight (musical theatre but it’s by the same people she does a lot of dance with so was only an extra £2) so we are a bit out of whack, time wise. Cagletini still awake Hmm and the older two just got their chips out of the oven. So much for an early night for DS, who has his first in person meet with scouts in the morning as he couldn’t go last week! Must check what time he needs to be ready.

Hoping to get a spare moment to finalise DSCs’ presents with DH later.

It did make me feel a teeny bit festive earlier - came down from bath time with Cagletini to find DD1 had put on our fave Christmas album (Annie Lennox) ❤️ She’s loved it for several years, it makes me happy that she still turns to it each December!

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IWillWearThatGlitteryWoolly · 11/12/2020 21:30

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This has been deleted by MNHQ for personal reasons.

SingToTheSky · 11/12/2020 21:36

Can anyone tell me why as soon as Cagletini actually bloody sleeps in her own bed, DD1 is getting so anxious about sleep she doesn’t want to sleep in her room anymore. Why. Why. The. Fuck. 🤬😫😣😰

Oh well at least Cagletini is asleep now. Will make DS go to bed, and leave DD1 on her screen time while discussing Xmas stuff with DH. I may even wait until he’s out of the bath 😂

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SingToTheSky · 11/12/2020 21:38

Helluva list woolly!

I was wondering about hazel earlier today actually, hope she’s ok!

Right must get my head in gear.

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Tinselette · 11/12/2020 21:45

I was thinking if Hazel earlier too,Confused hope she's okay...

Tinselette · 11/12/2020 21:46

DS is in his new roo. Am starting to pick paint for his old one which will be my office. Am thinking dusky pinks

Tinselette · 11/12/2020 21:47

Argh lost consonant alert. Missing room not marsupial.

SingToTheSky · 11/12/2020 22:37

I’d be a bit worried if you’d painted a large hoppy animal in those colours! :o

We are trying to figure out arrangements for Christmas (bubbles and whatnot) and holy crap my brain is fried. Quite tempted to just not bother 😳

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isawthat · 11/12/2020 23:40

Hiya everyone, the DC has Christmas jumper day today and had a massive strop this morning because the new jumpers DH bought were itchy, so they had to wear their ones from last year, they fit better than expected so I’ll give the new ones to charity, they had a great day though (pic attached of them with their jumpers on because they look too cute). We also finished putting up our outside decorations this evening, I’m chuffed with them all. We’ve not done them before, just a few lights in the windows but I wanted to go all out this year because of COVID. I keep going outside to look at them😂. I haven’t done much flying today, I’m having a flare up at the minute and just feeling a bit drained, so snuggles in bed was the most I could muster.

Aww lovely zoo, I feel so much better when the decs are up. Well done on getting so much done!

Hi dancing, thank you! The cuddles are brilliant, he’s just gorgeous!. I hope you can think a bit straighter now.

hills I hope your DS’s exam went well.

That’s great that your little one is staying in bed throughout the night sing, I’ve not fully mastered that with DS1 yet. I hope you can get a routine, it’s definitely a good time to work at them. Lovely photo of DS, I hope you get the home ed planning sorted. Lots of respect for you, I’m not sure I’d be able to do it. Sorry about DD1 not sleeping!

KCC I’m fully prepared now, just wrapping to do. DH went to get MIL’s birthday present (her bday tomorrow) and he picked up presents for the in laws as that’s his job. So all done now. I think it’s the first year I’ve been prepared this early. Oh wait! I haven’t done the Christmas food shop! I need to make a list for that soon. Love the meme, I say it multiple times a day😂

foxes I’m like that with presents, I bought DS1 a few more as we hadn’t spent as much as we had with DD but then felt bad that DD didn’t have as big of a pile. DH has made me stop now though otherwise we’d be skint. Sorry about the online orders! I’m waiting for a coat I bought myself but I think it will be a while before it comes.

Well done on surviving Tesco’s wooly, we need to go soon, I can’t send DH on his own because he won’t get everything and I like a mooch, but it will mean carting all 3 DC around!. The washing machine is constantly on here! 3 DC is very different to 2!. That’s very annoying about FIL!

Ooh you’re very lucky THAT for getting them slots! There’s nothing near me.

That’s sounds like a great idea tinselette and I love the tree, one of my nans has an Easter tree it’s lovely. I hope DS has a good night in his new room!.

ta da
Kept everyone alive!

Festive Fledglings Flap Frantically Towards A Calm, Clutter-free Christmas!
Festive Fledglings Flap Frantically Towards A Calm, Clutter-free Christmas!
SingToTheSky · 12/12/2020 00:13

Lovely pics isaw what little cuties you have 😍

Just watching more Miranda with DD1 after DH and I went round in circles for ages re Christmas and bubbles. 😩 I think we have decided to try and put together a little hamper of nice things for DSDs at least. So I can focus on that for now.

There’s always something I procrastinate over for Christmas though, as I get anxious over decision making... who’d have thought the actual Christmas plans would be it this year.

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Bowerbird5 · 12/12/2020 01:07

I was imaging him curled up in a roo pouch.🦘

I had quite a few personals but lost the whole lot turn back a page damn. Had to go and make our tea as it was fish pie. Just been watching New Tricks, I do like the humour and some of the locations are beautiful country houses, stylish flats in London(presumably).
Sing that is great news about Cagletini sleeping through and dry too.

I am another one who was wondering how Hazel was. She is often on here as I post before going to bed. She was up to her eyes in pumpkin pies and shopping. I hope she is ok.

Tinselette that tree made me LOL and incur a strange look for DH who was on the other end of the sofa.
Woolly I think I would have been quietly seething but wanting to LMS. DH was questioning my knowledge of cooking pasta last night. I did snap briefly and was feeling very 😠 internally. He should have worn the sauce.
Zoo I would ring again next week and if you get that treatment again from reception it’s ask her what medical qualifications she had it shut my princess of the office up and I got what I wanted. Another time I asked to be handed over to another receptionist she was furious. The other one came on a bit stroppy until I asked her just to listen first when she did she realised I did need to see the doctor. Some receptionists are a funny breed. Ideas above their station.

So DH got the tree down and I decorated it last night. Been a bit lazy today. I think it is lack of going out. I am not motivated enough as no longer under pressure to get it done.
So Tree done
Sitting room decorated
Kitchen - wall unit cleaned
Dresser wiped down and most of thing washed, dried and put back some not to keep it tidy.
Work tops wiped
Everhot wiped over.
Fish pie made
Freezer inventory taken. No we did not need to go shopping DH we only went onThursday.

I need to do home bleugh tomorrow and do the dining room. DH hasn’t helped much. He has chopped the wood and gone for it each day.
I am stuck with the 7 ft bookcase in my bedroom for Christmas.
Good news is the joiner is threatening to come next Thursday and put the new door on. I hope I like it. I will see less of the garden ☹️ And now the path is been done it looks so much better. I will miss seeing the daffy through the door in spring. Our door is full glass panes new one is half and a stable door. The mice won’t run in the kitchen though which is good.

SingToTheSky · 12/12/2020 01:08

ta da
🥨got Cagletini ready for nursery
🥨home ed
🥨LOL
🥨home ed meet up
🥨bought Christmas things
🥨made dinner for Cagletini
🥨Christmas discussions that went nowhere!

I thought I’d got other stuff done but I can’t remember now.

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Bowerbird5 · 12/12/2020 01:18

isawthat oh what lovely children you have.

Sing I meant to say what a handsome boy and clever too.

I need to finish the kitchen and wash the floor first in the morning. I put a few decorations up because we sometimes eat in there. DH has swapped the tables around so not sure how it is going to work. Not sure who can come yet. I think DS 2&3 could move in together like before and then everyone can come although I was going to invite DS 2’s lodger. I hope he doesn’t go to London to relations as he may bring it back with him I believe it is quite high there. DH won’t have the news on so I just get snippets.

Bowerbird5 · 12/12/2020 01:21

Sing I am planning to have them except DD and partner. If something happens then we are going to do meals on wheels. Is that something you or they could do?

Stilllivinginazoo · 12/12/2020 06:08

saw beautiful DC😍😍😍😍
Tinselette you get the award for autocorrect malfunction tonight!
Woollywell done on the work and home front.☘️🍀with frog making

THATbasicSNOWFLAKE · 12/12/2020 07:34

Very cute little ones there saw

Mine all had xmas jumper day yesterday too but dc4 couldn't go as his class is still isolating Sad he is free on monday and i am praying we can make it until end of term with no more bubble bursts I HAVE HAD ENOUGH!

I have not finished shopping at all and i have wrapped nothing. Back at the start of November i was organised and ahead of the game, two periods of isolation have ruined that 😑

I need to work out what i have and what i need. I have two days without the big four dc to get shit done. Its going to be stressful.

HillsBesideTheSea · 12/12/2020 08:22

Ds' year group bubble burst. The whole year have been sent home for online learning. A lot of the kids aren't isolating (ds isn't) they are just moving teaching online. I suspect this has to do with Christmas coming up. I actually appreciate this, although ds does not engage with online learning so that will just be more missed school Hmm is it too soon to start a count down to when he leaves school? cos i am actually counting down already!!!

Early start is brought to you by crisis at work that requires working on a day normally shut.

Ta da
prep leeks for storage
wash up crock pot that was left soaking in sink yesterday because yesterday did not go to plan
prep water and tank for changing fish water later
clean cooker after boiling over pasta last night. Hmm
discuss with ds contact with his father - he has been reducing and reducing and reducing it, his father is not happy. i refuse to be piggy in the middle for this one.
deal with NI number thing for teen - is it normal to get letters confirming surnames/names etc?
Check emails
load of washing on
put saucepans in to soak

I have about 30mins before I have to leave so going to try to beat the lounge into a shape where they can put up the decorations.

To do
work
study and homework
make 3 lots of bread (want to get ahead and need to learn this cooker ahead of Christmas baking)
internet shopping
figure out wtaf to do for ds for christmas present
Homemade pizza for tea
Clear out fridge
tidy utility room
put away food in the stop and drop quarantine zone
deal with post
tidy porch
clean porch
Evict stuff from dining room back into garage now path through is no longer needed.
More laundry
EARLY NIGHT

IWillWearThatGlitteryWoolly · 12/12/2020 08:24

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This has been deleted by MNHQ for personal reasons.

IWillWearThatGlitteryWoolly · 12/12/2020 08:30

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THATbasicSNOWFLAKE · 12/12/2020 08:48

Sorry about the bubble burst hills although great he doesnt need to isolate.

Dancingtomusic · 12/12/2020 08:49

Morning woolley- you made me 🤣
'Seventh hell...and Survived Tesco. Managed not to flatten DH' 🤣

I havent caught up yet...but hope you are ok.
I admire you for doing 2 weeks worth of food shopping earlier in the week....as I went to Sainsburys to get stuff for a roast...i got overwhelemed and left it.

So I dont know how you are doing it but weldone.

foxessocks · 12/12/2020 08:51

Morning all!

I really like watching new tricks too bower!

Good luck everyone with all the festive lists. I really think all your memories must be better than because I just read through all the posts and there was loads I wanted to say but now I can't remember 😂 I'm always on my phone so it is tricky to scroll back. Maybe it is easier if you have tablets?? We have actually got a tablet for Christmas (it is for all of us, the kids will be extremely excited!)

My new desk arrived yesterday, can't remember if I mentioned it (see my memory has got so bad!!) , DH has put it together for me and I'm actually quite looking forward to work next week in a proper office space!

Lovely photo isawthat 😊 my dd school is doing Christmas jumper week next week! I had to resist buying loads of jumpers for it, she can wear 2 and switch them each day.

The house has gone back to being messy, I managed to keep on top of it for a while but it always gets away from me on a Friday when I just become too exhausted and leave it all to sort out on a Saturday. At least I ticked off some home bleugh yesterday so will try and finish that today. I did actually deep clean the microwave yesterday so that is something kitchen related at least! The zone stuff isn't really happening at the moment Confused